What is a good SAT score?

The maximum SAT test score on all three sections of the test is 2400. This score is based on the combined individual scores for the Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing sections. The lowest score for each section is 200 and the highest is 800.

According the College Board, of the 2013 college0bound seniors, the 50th percentile scores were:

Critical Reading

Math

Writing

Composite CR+M+W

Composite CR+M

490-500

510-520

480-490

1490

1010

Most schools do not report the writing portion of the SAT. You can also look up the percentile rankings for students in your state.

Whether or not your scores are “good” depends on the colleges you are applying to. Most colleges report their 25th and 75th percentile scores. For example, the University of Texas at Dallas reports the following test scores:

Test Scores

25th Percentile

75th Percentile

Critical Reading

560

680

Math

600

710

This means that 50% of students had scores within the given range. If your scores are above the 75th Percentile, they would definitely be considered “good” for the school. However, it is important to remember, that 25% of students attending had scores lower than the 25th Percentile. Scores are not the only thing colleges consider in admissions.

Among 50-50 schools where at least 20% of students reported SAT scores, the unweighted  average percentiles were as follows:

Test Scores

25th Percentile

75th Percentile

Critical Reading

498

607

Math

507

615

This puts the lowest 25th percentile for 50-50 schools at approximately the 50th percentile for all high schools seniors. For Critical Reading, 607 is between the 80th and 82nd percentile nationally and 615 for math is between the 77th and 79th percentiles.

If you eliminate the admission rate requirement, the unweighted average is as follows:

Test Scores

25th Percentile

75th Percentile

Critical Reading

527

633

Math

538

643

 

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